Burglar-alarm system



March 25, 1930. s. B. HESS I BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Filed July 12, 1924 anvemtoz Patented Mar. 25, 1930 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIMON-B. HESS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HOLMES ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK BURGLAR-ALARM SYSTEM Application filed July 12,

This invention relates generally to. a burglar alarm system of the electrical type and more particularly to a controlling and setting device used in the operation of the system.

Th invention includes the provision of a simple and eifectively operating switching device in the form of a cam wheel for controlling the operation of the system as a whole as well as for setting the parts in condition for automatic operation when an unauthorized entry is made to the guarded premises.

' Other features of the invention will be hereinafter referred to. V

In the drawing a single view in diagrammatic form illustrates an electrical protective system embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, G represents the protective wiring in the guarded structure. A relay is shown at M which controls the operation of a signals, while at C is shown in diagrammatic and developed form a cam wheel type of switch which forms an important part of the invention. At L is shown a lock which is used in the control of the protective circuit.

Portionsof the general organization of protective circuits in cooperation with the control M is shown in my prior application Serial No. 613,572, filed Jan. 19, 1923, and includes the two conductors 27 and 37 extending throughout the premises in adjacent and parallel courses so that both conductors will be broken in the event of an unauthorized entry. The conductors 27 and 37 are included in a circuit by means of which current is normally supplied to the coils 12 and 13 of the control relay M as follows: battery 26, conductor 27, connector 28, conductor 29, test switch 24, conductor 30, conductor 31,

. relay coils 12 and 13, conductor 33, conductor 34, test switch 25, conductor 35, connector 36, and conductor 37 back to battery.

The normal energization of the relay coils 12 and 13 which is thus maintained by the battery 26 holds the armature 11 is a raised position against the contact 16 and out of engagement with the lower contact 15. In

. orderto prevent the dropping of the arma- 1924. Serial No. 725,583.

tors 27 or 37 is broken a supplemental cir cuit is provided which includes a conductor 39 leading from a mid point of the battery 26 by way of connector 40, conductor 41 to a point 32 in the connection between the relay coils 12 and 13. It will be seen that conductor 39 becomes the third wire of a three-wire circuit and theindividual coils 12 and 13 are so wound that current supplied to either one of them over the conductors 39 and 41 is sufficient to maintain the armature 11 is raised condition provided a circuit is completed by the maintenance in uninterrupted condition of either one of the conductors 27 or 37.

Upon the interruption of current supplied to the relay coils 12 and 13 by the rupture of both protective circuit conductors 27 and 37, the armature 11 drops and moves into engagement with the lower contact 15 thereby closing a circuit through the switch operating magnet P as follows: battery 62, connector 61, conductor 60, magnet P, conductor 59, connector 58, conductor 57, lock-controlled switch 21, contact 23, conductor 56,

conductor 54, contacts 53 and '52, conductor *5 51, connector 50, conductor 19, armature 11, conductor 67, conductor 65, conductor 63 and back to battery.

It will be seen that this condition is contingent upon the night position of the lock L so that the switch contact 21 is in its lowered position. The single step of operation that is produced by the energization of the magnet P rotates the circuit controller C 'one'step so as to move the cam sections thereon one step fors;

ward, that is, to a position in which the portions shown at 2 in the drawing will have been moved forward to the position marked 1. The new position of the circuit controller has the eifect'of separating the contacts 52 and to have three operative positions indicated at .1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the wheel being stepped around from position to position through the energization of the magnet P which operates a ratchet operating arm 80 carrying a pawl member 81 which has operative engagement with ratchet teeth 82 with which the circuit controller C is supplied.

In the various positions in which the circuit controller C can be moved the cam sections .83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 act to produce various operative combinations of the difierent contact members associated therewith so as to control the operations of the system as a whole.

The movement of the armature 11 into enement with the contact member 15 is inliifed by the normally energized condition of I118 relay coils 14 which are energized over a circuit including the conductor 39 as follows: battery 26, conductor 39, connector 40, conductor 42, coils 14, conductor 43, contacts 44 and 45 which are engaged in the first position of the cam 83, conductor 46', connector 47, conanism S into operation.

. controller closes. the contacts 73 and 74 to prepare for the next step in theoperation of .1 the magnet P and also opens the circuit through the magnet P at the contacts 521 and fcontact spring21 out of engagement with.

- :in order to stop the operation of the alarm signal'itis necessary to actuate the lock mechanism L to v.move the bolt to the day position indicated in dotted lines thereby moving the the contact 23 and into engagement with the contact 22. The closing of a circuit at the contact 22 again causes themagnet P to be energizedso as to rotate the circuit controller G through the next step in its operative positions. The circuit by which this is accomplishedmay be traced as follows: battery 62,

connector 61. conductor 60. magnet P, conductor 59. connector 58. conductor 57, contact members 21 and 22, conductor 76, contacts 7 3 and 74 which it will be recalled were brought into engagement in the second position of the cam 84. conductor 75. conductor 49, armature 11, conductor67, conductor 65, and conductor 63 back to battery. The ensuing rotative movement of the cam to-its third positlon separates contactmembers 68 and 69 and there by opens a circuit through the alarm mechanism S. At the same time contact member 77,

is brought into engagement with contactmem-.'

ber 78 thus preparing for the next step in the operation oftlie magnet 1 At the same time switch member 45 is allowed to move out of engagement with the contact 44 thus opening the shunt circuit through the relay coils 14. Also contact 73 is allowed to move out of engagement with contact 74 so as to again open the circuit through the magnet P.

Whenever the lock mechanism L is in the day position, that is. with the bolt retracted so as to hold the contact spring 21 out of engagement with the contact 23 there can be no operation of the alarm mechanism S regardless of the condition of the protective circuit.

In orderto test the protective system and make sure that all the protected exits are closed the attendant moves the lock bolt to ductor 59, conductor 57. contacts 21 and 23, conductor 56,v contacts 77 and 78, conductor 79, armature 11, conductor 67, conductor and conductor 63 back to battery. The 010s ing of acirouit through the magnet P at this stage moves the set of cam members on the circuit controller C from the third to the initial or first position thereby completing a rotating movement of the circuit controller and placing the installationback inits original condition and the one shown on the drawing.

The testing of this set condition of the system can now be effected by operating first one and then the other of 'the test keys 24' and 25-to thereby test the corresponding protective'circuit conductors 27 and 37 in the circuits of which the test keys 24 and 25 are respectively placed. It will be clear thatif the alarm signal is not energized when either test key 24 or 25 is operated the protective system is in working condition, for, if either conductor 27 or 37 were broken the opening of the circuit through the other conductor would bring about the deenergization of the relay coils 12'and 13 andthereby initiate an alarm producing operation.

If it is'desired to test the working condition of the alarm mechanism andits associated circuits it will be clear that this can be effected by simultaneously opening both test keys 24 and 25; The opening of both test keys 24 and 25 insures the breaking of the circuit through both relay coils 13 and 14 so i that the armature 11 makes contact with the it will be seen that the energizing circuit for the magnet .1? is l s dy the eng gement of the switch 21 with the contact 231m is left 'open at the contact 16 because theopened exit maintains the-conductors 27 and 37 in open condition so that a'circuit has not yet been established-through the relay coils 12 and 13to liftthearmature 11. As the attendant leaves the premises and closes the exit door behind him circuits through both the protective conductors 27 and'37 are established and therelay coils 12 and 13 are energized to lift the armature 11 into engagement with the contact16. If at this time the circuit controller is in its third position themagnet P will be energized to move the circuit controller to its first positionand placethe parts in operativecondition such as is indlcated 1n the drawing.

Preferably the protective circuit includes a "branch circuit in w'hiclrthe contacts 18 and 19 are adapted tobe bridged by the spring contact member 17 when a casing 20 for the control mechanism parts is not in place. This particular feature of theinstallation, however, forms no essential part of the present invention and is not claimed herein.

It will be seen that the circuit controller mechanism "C which is provided furnishes a f simple and self-containedelement of mechanism which plays an important part inthe settingand control of the protective system disclosed and which insures the carrying out of various operating steps in their proper consecutive order thereby insuring the effective functioning of the apparatus under all operating conditions.

What I claim isz 1. In an electrical protective system for guardin premises against unauthorized entry,-a line conductor subjectto rupture by-an unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit, a circuit controller of'the step-by st-ep type controlling the conductor circuit and the alarm circuit,

and means set into operation by the rupture of the line conductor for actuating the circuit controller toclose the alarm circuit.

2. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, a line conductor subject to rupture by an unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit, a relay, a circuit for the relay, and a controller of the step-by-step type, electrical means for operating the controller, a circuit under control of the relay circuit for said operating means, the controller being arranged "to cons trol the alarm circuit, the relay circuit, and

the. circuit for the operating means.

3. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, a line conductor subject to rupture by an unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit, acircuit controller of the step-by-step' type and movable to different positions corresponding to consecutive operative conditions of the installation, and means set into operation by the rupture of t heline conductor for movin the circuit controller to thereby actuate the alarm circuit.

4. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, a circuit controller of the step-by-step type and movable to different positions corresponding to consecutive operative conditions of theinstallation,operating means for movmg the controller to each of its positions and a protective circuit operatively connecu ed to the operating means and adapted to :move the operating means on rupture of the protective circuit.

5. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized :en- 2 try, aprotective circuit, an alarm circuit,and a step-by-step circuit controller for automatically conditioning the circuits 'for successive operations of thecircui'ts, said controller being ojperati-vely connected to the protective circuit whereby the controller ismov'ed to actuatethe alarm circuitonrupture of the protective circuit.

6. In an electrical protective system for --guardingpremises against unauthorized en try, a line conductor subject to rupture 'by an unauthorized entry, a relay, a normally energized circuit for the relay including saidline conductor, a signal, a normally open circuit for thesignal, a circuit controller of the step by-step type arranged to close the signal circuit in one of the positions ofthe circuit controller, an electromagnet for actuating :said circuit controller, a circuit for the electromagnet of the circuit controller controlled by said relay, a shunt circuit controlled by the circuit controller in another of its positions including windings opposed to saidrelay and arranged to operate the relay armature on the failure of the line conductor circuit, and said electromagnet actuating the circuit controller to open the shunt circuit to the signal silencing position thereof'whereby to permit of the restoration of therelay to normal "position by reestablishing the line conductor circuit.

7. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, a line conductor subject to rupture by an unauthorized entry, at relay,'a-'normally ener- 3 gized circuit for the relay includingsaid line conductor, 'a signal, anormally open circuit for the signal, a circuit controllerof the'stepby-step type arranged to close the signal circuit in one ofvthe positions of the circuit upon the reestablishing of the line conductor circuit. l r

8. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry a line conductor subject to rupture by an unauthorized entry, a relay, a normally energized circuit for the relay including said line conductor, a signal, a normally open circuit for the signal, a circuit controller of the step-by-step type arranged to close the signal circuitin one of the positions of the circuit controller, electromagnetic 'step-bystep actuating mechanism for the circuit controller, a circuit for the circuit controller electromagnet controlled by said relay, a lock, a circuit adapted when closed by the opening of the lock to energize the electromagnet and thereby move the circuit controller to a position to break the signal circuit, and a further circuit including said electromagnetic actuating mechanism and adapted tobe closed when the lock is again moved to locked position to move the circuit controller to its normal set'position.

9. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit, relatively movable con- I tacts in thealarm circuit, a step-by-step con troller for opening and closing the contacts, a double wire protective circuit, 'and 'electricaL ly operated means for actuating the step-bystep controller upon rupture of both wires of the protective circuit to close the relatively movable contacts in the alarm circuit and cause actuation of the alarm.

10. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit, relatively movable contacts in the alarm circuit, a step-by-step controller for opening and closing the contacts,

and. electrical operating means for moving the step-by-step controller, said electrical operating means being adapted to cause actuation ofthe step-by-step controller to open the relatively movable contacts and stop the operation of the alarm circuit, said electrical operating means including lock-operated contacts andaa lock operatively connected with the lock-operated contacts.

11'. In an electrical protective system'for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, an alarmcircuit, relatively movable contacts in the alarm circuit, a step-by-step con-'1 troller for opening and closing the contacts,

an electromagnet connected to the controller,

a protectivewire'circuit including a relay, a

circuit controlled by said relay for energizmg the electroemagnet to 'move the controller, a shunt circuit including a second electro-magnetfor biasing the armature of said relay to alarm sounding position upon rupture of the protective circuit and lock-controlled circuits including a lock switch and said first-named electro-magnet, said lock-controlled circuits be ng ad p ed to assi t in actuating the 0 troller, the controller being operatively engaged with the alarm circuit, the shunt cir- 7 relay to alarm-sounding position upon rupture of the protective circuit, relatively movable contacts in said shunt circuit,-and lockcontrolled circuits including a lock switch, the first-named electro-magnet, and said movable armature, each of said lock-controlled circuits including relatively movable contacts,

the controller carrying a cam surface for opening and closing each ofsaid relatively movable contacts.

13. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, a step-by-step controller, a first electro-magnet operatively connected with the controller, a protective circuit including a second electro-magnet which is energized when the system is in protective position, a movable armature which is held against the second electro-magnet when the system is in protective position, a shunt circuit including a third'electro-magnet for biasing the movable armature away from the second electro-magnet,a pair of relatively movable contacts in the shunt circuit, a lock-controlled switch, a first control circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, the movable armature, a source of electrical current, the first electro-magnet and the lock-controlled switch, a second con trol circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, the movable'armature, a source of electrical current, the first electromagnet, and the lock-controlled switch, a

. third control circuitincluding a pair of relatively movable contacts, the movable armature, a source of electrical current, the first electro-magnet, and the lock controlled switch, the step-by-step controller carrying a cam surface cooperating with the said relatively movable contacts and having three positions, the parts being so disposed that in the first position the relatively movable contacts in the shunt circuit and the relatively movable contacts in the third control circuit are closed, the remainder of the relatively movable contacts being open, and in the second position the relatively movable. contacts in the shunt circuit and the relatively movable contacts in the first control circuit and the relat v y m a e contests in the alarm circuit are closed, the remainder of the relatively movable contacts being open, and in the third position the relatively movable contacts in the second control circuit are closed. the remainder of the relatively movable contacts being open.

14. In an electrical protective system for guarding premises against unauthorized entry, an alarm circuit including a source of electrical current, a pair of relatively movable contacts, and an alarm mechanism, a step-by-step cont-roller, a first electro-magnet operatively connected with the controller, a protective circuit including a source of electrical energy and a second electro-magnet which is energized when the system is in protective position, a first armature contact, a second armature contact, a movable armature which is held up against the first armature contact by the second electro-magnet when the system is in protective position, and which falls into engagement with the second armature contact on deenergization of the second electro-magnet, a shunt circuit including a source of electrical current, a third electro-magnet for biasing the movable armature away from the second electro-magnet, and a pair of relatively movable contacts, a day contact, a night contact, a switch member movable into engagement with either the day contact or the night contact, a first control circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, the second armature contact, the movable armature, a source of electrical current, the first electro-magnet, the movable switch member, and the day contact, a second control circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, the first armature contact, the movable armature, a source of electrical current, the first electro-magnet, the movable switch member, and the night contact, a third control circuit including a pair of relatively movable contacts, the second armature contact, the movable armature, a source of electrical current, the first electro-magnet, the movable switch arm, and the night contact, the step-by-step controller carrying a cam surface co-operating with said relatively movable contacts and having three positions, the parts being so disposed that in the first position the relatively movable contacts in the shunt circuit and the relatively movable contacts in the third control circuit are closed, the remainder of the relatively movable contacts being open, de-energization of the second electro-magnet when the cam is in the first position serving to complete the third control circuit which energizes the first electro-magnet and moves the cam to the second position, in which second position the relatively movable contacts in the shunt circuit and the relatively movable contacts in the first control circuit and the relatively movable contacts in the alarm circuit are closed, the remainder of the relatively movable contacts being open, movement of the movable switch member into engagement with the day contact when the cam is in the second position serving to complete the first control circuit which ener-i 

